Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the degree of adherence and non-adherence to treatment regimen in the population with heart failure, as well as to explore relationships to symptom burden and hospitalization-frequency. Introduction: Heart failure – a chronic disease with a somber prognosis and high mortality, incidence and prevalence increasing world-wide. Adherence to treatment regimen mitigates symptom flare-up, increases life quality and impedes hospitalizations. Non-adherence is a global problem, historically underestimated and difficult to measure. The level of non-adherence to medical treatment in the heart failure-population is about 50 %, degree of non-adherence from a wider perspective implicates a gap of knowledge. Methods: A cross-sectional survey-study was conducted via the electronic survey: ”Living with heart failure”. Selection was consecutive, based on patients visiting the Cardiac outpatient-clinic, in a Swedish University Hospital. Data was transferred to descriptive statistics using the statistical processing program SPSS. Results: 479 individuals participated, non-adherent were 73,6 % and adherent 26,4 %. There was a significant difference between symptom burden among the non-adherent and the adherent. A trend also appeared between low hospitalization-frequency, high degree of adherence and low symptom burden, an equivalent trend among the most frequently hospitalized which exhibited the lowest degree of adherence and the most severe symptom burden. Conclusion: The results pinpoint the need to further draw attention to non-adherence, repeatedly representing the majority of the population. With a patient-centered approach nurses/caregivers could have an empowering effect on the patient´s ability to health literacy and thus promote conditions for adherence.

Master of Science / Department of Civil Engineering / Sunanda Dissanayake / Construction of by-pass lanes at rural intersections typically has been considered a low-cost safety improvement. Safety analysis utilizes two common approaches to evaluate treatment effectiveness: before-and-after study and cross-sectional study. This research performed paired sample t-test statistical analysis to estimate changes in total of crash frequency, crash rates, EPDO crash frequency, and EPDO crash rates at intersections, three to five years after adding a by-pass lane compared to identical time period before the by-pass lane was added. Crash data between 1990 and 2011 were obtained from Kansas Crash and Analysis Record System (KCARS) maintained by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). In order to perform a cross-sectional study, intersections with by-pass lanes were compared to intersections with no countermeasures; crash data were obtained for more than 1,100 intersections in the state of Kansas. According to before-and-after study, addition of by-pass lanes improves safety at unsignalized rural intersections; crashes and their severities are reduced after adding by-pass lanes. But, these reductions are not statistically significant under 95% confidence level. However, when considering intersection related crashes, a statistically significant reduction in crash rates is happened after adding by-pass lanes at 3-legged intersections. In cross-sectional study, crashes and their severities are lower at 3-legged intersections with the by-pass lanes versus 3-legged intersections without the by-pass lanes. However, these reductions are not statistically significant under 95% confidence level. When considering 300 feet intersection crash box, statistically significant reductions are happened at 4-legged intersection. In contrast, crashes and their severities increased at 4-legged intersections with the by-pass lanes, but these changes are not statistically significant under 95% confidence level. The Crash Modification Factors were calculated to evaluate safety effectiveness of adding by-pass lanes at unsignalized rural intersections. The calculated CMFs less than 1.0, indicate a reduction in crashes after implementation of by-pass lanes. Finally, this study concluded that expected crashes at intersections with by-pass lanes are lower than intersections without by-pass lanes.

The average life expectancy and the proportion of elderly are increasing globally and inSweden, causing challenges for the society. Physical activity has proven to bring a number ofpositive benefits in older people, making the promotion of physical activity an important partof healthy aging attempts. The degree of physical activity in Sweden’s elderly population isgreater than in previous generations, making this group a positive exception from a widerperspective. A cross sectional study was made in order to investigate which motives tophysical activity that was considered most important among people above 60. Collected datawere analyzed with SPSS version 19.0 and the result showed that most of the given motiveswere viewed as important. Avoiding sickness and bad health and motives related toimprovement and maintaining of physical fitness were given the highest values. The degree ofphysical activity among the participants were also collected and a bivariate analyze could thusbe performed to investigate possible relations between physical activity and differentmotives. A statistic significant relation between a high degree of physical activity at gym(more than 2 days a week) and a high valuation of motives related the social aspect, goodfeelings and self-development were then found. / Medellivslängden och andelen äldre ökar i världen och i Sverige vilket kommer innebärastora utmaningar. Fysisk aktivitet har flertalet goda effekter för äldre människor och attfrämja fysiskt aktivitet blir en således en viktig del i arbetet med att åstadkomma etthälsosamt åldrande. Positivt är då att Sveriges äldre befolkning är fysiskt aktiva i högre gradän tidigare generationer. Därför genomfördes en tvärsnittsstudie med syfte att undersökavilka motiv till fysisk aktivitet som ansågs ha störst betydelse för fysiskt aktiva människoröver 60 år. Data analyserades i SPSS version 19.0 och resultatet visade att flertalet av 21angivna motiv hade stor betydelse för de äldres fysiska aktivitet. Att undvika sjukdom ochhälsobesvär samt att bevara/förbättra aspekter av den fysiska formen ansågs dock viktigast.Deltagarna fick också ange i vilken grad de var fysiskt aktiva och således kunde sambandmellan olika motiv och fysisk aktivitet beräknas. Ett fåtal statistiskt signifikanta sambandhittades då det visade sig att personer som värderade den sociala biten, de goda känslornaoch självutveckling högst var fysiskt aktiva på gym i högre grad (över 2 dagar i veckan) än desom gav dessa motiv lägre värden.

The older population in Thailand is growing, and the number of older people who suffer from health problems is increasing as well. The health situation of the older population challenges healthcare providers to care for older people. Healthy aging is key to promoting the health of older people and sustaining their well-being. However, little is known about healthy aging in Thailand, especially in northeastern Thailand, or the Isan region, where the number of older people is increasing. Thus, this thesis aims to understand the factors associated with perceived health and healthy aging and how older people and their relatives in the Isan region conceptualize healthy aging. This thesis also focuses on how community nurses experience the meaning and promotion of healthy aging in this region. This thesis includes four studies. The first is a quantitative cross-sectional study with 453 participants aged 60 years or older. The second and third studies are qualitative with a phenomenographic approach that is based on lifeworld theory. Participants in the second and third studies include 17 older people and 14 relatives who are responsible for caring for older people, respectively. The fourth study is a qualitative study that involves focus group interviews with 36 community nurses who work with older people in the Isan region. The findings of the first study show a variance (24.3%) in perceived health and healthy aging based on residential area, marital status and disability status. The meaning of healthy aging, which was derived from the second, third and fourth studies, was divided into three domains: being interconnected; being able to do something good and feeling strong; and thinking beyond the capacity and functions of body and mind. The promotion of healthy aging was described as “providing health assessments”, “sharing knowledge”, and “having limited resources”. The findings of the first study revealed the key factors that will help healthcare providers promote healthy aging. The findings of the second, third and fourth studies revealed that older people, their children and grandchildren, and community nurses attach different meanings to healthy aging. The finding regarding promotion of healthy aging emphasizes that the person-centredness should be integrated in practice when promoting healthy aging. The results of this thesis will be useful to policymakers, who can apply this enhanced understanding of healthy aging to develop healthcare practices that promote healthy aging.

The analysis of pharmacotherapy by patients suffering with DM in Greece I Author: Georgios Kalaitzidis Tutor: Professor RNDr.Jiri Vlcek,CSc. Department of Social and Clinical Pharmacy, Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove. Introduction: The diabetes in developed countries concerns 11% of people over 70 years and is the cause of 3% of total deaths in general population. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the Pharmacotherapy of Diabetes mellitus type II in a pharmacy of a small town of Greece, Veria. Methods: It is retrospective cross-sectional study, which was conducted in a pharmacy in a small town of Greece, Veria. The study population consists of 60 patients with known Type II diabetes Melitus. The data collection was performed by a self-reported questionnaire, which was created and developed by the researcher and filled by the respondents. Results: The mean age of the sample was 56.5±17.5 years. Most of them were females (n=40). Most of the patients knew their fasting glucose level (93.3%,n=56).Of the patients who knew their fasting glucose level, 36 (64.3%) patients had high fasting glucose level and 20 (35.7%) had physiological fasting glucose level. From all the patients(n=60), some of them visited their physician every 6 months (n=24), and every 3 months...

A lesão periapical de origem endodôntica é consequência de necrose pulpar causada pela presença de microorganismos no interior do sistema de canais radiculares. Essa lesão é geralmente crônica e assintomática e, portanto, os exames de imagem são importantes para sua detecção. A tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico (TCFC) é uma tecnologia avançada, de grande utilidade para a avaliação de lesões periapicais e suas características. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a prevalência de lesões periapicais no complexo maxilo-mandibular detectadas em imagens de TCFC e classificar as lesões encontradas, de acordo com os seguintes critérios: idade e gênero do paciente; indicação do exame de TCFC; localização e extensão da lesão; grau de comprometimento de cortical óssea e condição do dente associado. Para isso, foram interpretadas imagens de 300 pacientes obtidas em tomógrafo i-CAT Classic da FOB-USP e de um centro radiológico. Em uma primeira etapa, os exames foram selecionados de acordo com os critérios de inclusão (pacientes ≥ 12 anos de idade; arcos dentários com pelo menos 1 dente não-retido e protocolos de escaneamento dos exames de FOVs de 6, 8 ou 13cm e tamanhos de voxel de 0,25 ou 0,3) e analisados no software i-CAT Vision. Os dados do paciente como idade e gênero foram anotados, bem como o motivo para realização do exame. Procedeu-se a avaliação individual de cada dente por meio de cortes parassagitais ao arco, anotando a quantidade total de dentes e destacando os que apresentaram lesão periapical para posterior análise. Na segunda etapa do estudo, 2 examinadores, sendo uma radiologista e um endodontista avaliaram apenas os exames nos quais foram detectadas lesões periapicais. Cada lesão foi vista em 3 planos (sagital, axial e coronal) e medidas do maior diâmetro no corte mais expressivo foram feitas, usando ferramenta do software. Localização da lesão, comprometimento de cortical e condição do dente relacionado também foram anotados nessa etapa. Como resultado, obteve-se que 51,40% do total de pacientes cujo exame de TCFC permitia observar apenas 1 arco com lesão ou ambos os arcos dentários (n=214) apresentaram lesão periapical. Do total de 5.585 dentes avaliados de 300 pacientes, 192 apresentaram lesão (3,44%). Em relação à idade dos pacientes com lesão, o grupo de 60-69 anos apresentou maior prevalência (73,07%) e o grupo de 12-19 anos apresentou menor prevalência (15%). Em relação a gênero, a prevalência foi similar entre homens e mulheres, sendo a diferença estatisticamente não-significativa. Os exames solicitados como complementação de avaliação endodôntica apresentaram maior prevalência de lesão. A localização mais frequente de lesões periapicais foi em molares inferiores (5,91%) e a menos frequente em incisivos e caninos inferiores (0,63%). As lesões com dimensão entre 4-8mm de diâmetro foram as mais frequentemente encontradas (30,72%, kappa intra=0,87, kappa inter=0,79). A maioria das lesões não apresentou comprometimento de cortical óssea (76,28%, kappa intra=0,97, kappa inter=0,96). Dentes com tratamento endodôntico inadequado apresentaram maior quantidade de lesões (78,18%, kappa intra=0,95, kappa inter=0,85). A partir da análise da amostra estudada, concluiu-se, portanto, que lesões periapicais são frequentemente encontradas em exames de TCFC com diferentes prescrições e que a presença de lesões periapicais tem associação significativa entre idade do paciente, tipo e condição do dente relacionado. / Periapical lesion of endodontic origin is a consequence of the pulp necrosis caused by the presence of microorganisms within the root canal system. This lesion is usually chronic and asymptomatic and, therefore, the image examinations are important for its detection. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is an advanced new technology, which can be very useful for the assessment of periapical lesions and their features. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of periapical lesions in jaws detected in CBCT images, as well as to classify the found lesions into the following criteria: patients age and gender; purpose of the CBCT scan; location and size of the lesion, as well as cortical bone and related tooth condition. The images of 300 patients who underwent a Classic i-CAT CBCT scan in Bauru Dental School (FOB-USP) and in a private radiologic office were assessed. The first part of the study involved the selection of the exams according to the inclusion criteria (patients ≥ 12 years old; maxilla/ mandible with at least 1 present tooth and scanning protocols using 6, 8 or 13 cm FOV and 0.25 or 0.3 voxel) using i-CAT Vision software. Data about patients age and gender were recorded, as well as the reason for the CBCT scan. Each tooth has been individually assessed in transversal slices. The total amount of teeth in each jaw and the presence or absence of periapical lesion have been recorded. In the second part of the study, 2 examiners (Dental Radiology and Endodontics experts) assessed the examinations in which periapical lesions have been detected. Each lesion has been evaluated in 3 dimensions (sagittal, axial and coronal) and the measurement was performed using specific tool of the software in the largest diameter (mm) in the most representative slice. The lesion location, cortical bone condition and related tooth condition were also recorded. Periapical lesion was found in 51.40% of the patients who presented CBCT images of a single jaw with lesion or both jaws (n=214). From the total amount of 5585 evaluated teeth of 300 patients, 192 presented lesion (3.44%). Concerning patients age, the 60-69 years old group presented the higher prevalence (73.07%) and the 12-19 years old group presented the lower prevalence (15%). As far as gender is concerned, the prevalence has been similar between men and women and the difference was not statistically significant. The scans performed in order to complement endodontic assessment presented the higher prevalence of periapical lesion. The most frequent location of the lesions was mandibular molars (5.91%) and the less frequent was mandibular incisors and canines (0.63%). The lesions with 4-8mm size were the most frequently found (30.72%, intra kappa=0.87, inter kappa=0.79). The most part of the lesions has not presented cortical bone changes (76.28%, intra kappa=0.97, inter kappa=0.96). The higher prevalence of lesion has been found in teeth with inadequate endodontic treatment (78.18%, intra kappa=0.95, inter kappa=0.85). It is possible to conclude that periapical lesions may be frequently found in CBCT examinations of different purposes and that the presence of periapical lesions has significant association with patients age and tooths type and condition.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-05T20:04:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 3 / Nenhuma / Foi realizado um estudo transversal com o objetivo de determinar a prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade e os fatores associados ao excesso de peso corporal, em um grupo de escolares de 11 a 13 anos, residentes em Capão da Canoa, RS. A técnica de amostragem utilizada foi estratificada, proporcional ao número de alunos de cada escola. O estado nutricional foi avaliado mediante percentil do Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC) de acordo com a idade e o sexo proposto por Cole e colaboradores no ano de 2000. Foram analisadas variáveis socioeconômicas, demográficas, genéticas e comportamentais. Foram entrevistadas 719 escolares em onze escolas, destes 541 (75, 2%) apresentam IMC considerado normal, 153 (21,3%) escolares apresentaram sobrepeso e 25 (3,5%) obesidade.Foram encontradas associações estatisticamente significativas com tipo de escola, estado nutricional dos pais, nível de atividade física, e tempo de conduta sedentária. Discutem-se os resultados de acordo com a revisão bibliográfica e sugerem-se medidas de c / A cross-sectional study was made with the purpose of determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity between a group of students from 11 to 13 years old, all living in Capão da Canoa, RS, as well as investigate is association with possible factors of risk for the excess of body weight. The technique sample used was proportional to the number of pupils of each school. The nutritional state was evaluated through of the percentile of Body Mass index (BMI) according to the age and gender considered for Cole and collaborators in the year of 2000. Socioeconomic, demographics, genetics and behavior changeable have been anlyzed. In eleven schools, 719 children were inerviewed, from these, 541 (75.2%) have presented a cosidered normal BMI, 153 (21.3%) have presented overweight and 25 (3.5%) have presented obesity. Associatiations with type of school, nutritional state of the parents, level of physical activity and time of sedentary activity have been found. The results are argued according to the bibliographical

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-05T20:04:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 23 / Nenhuma / Objetivo: Estudar os determinantes dos Padrões Alimentares (PA) de mulheres residentes em uma área metropolitana do sul do país.Desenho: Estudo transversal de base populacional. Participantes: 1026 mulheres de 20 a 60 anos, residentes na zona urbana de São Leopoldo, R.S. A seleção da amostra foi realizada através de múltiplos-estágios no ano de 2003. Resultados: Os padrões alimentares com maior consumo foram: o Padrão Alimentar de Risco de Custo Baixo (PARC1), o Padrão Alimentar de Risco de Custo Alto (PARC3) e o Padrão Alimentar Saudável de Custo Baixo (PASC1). Após as análises multivariadas, o consumo do Padrão Alimentar Saudável de Custo Baixo (PASC1) esteve positivamente associado à idade, mas diminuiu em mulheres com baixa escolaridade, sem companheiro e fumantes; o consumo do Padrão Alimentar Saudável de Custo Médio (PASC2) foi positivamente associado à idade, escolaridade e classe econômica, sendo menor nas mulheres não brancas comparado às mulheres brancas; enquanto o PASC3 foi mais consumido por mu / Objective: To study the determinants of dietary patterns of women from southern Brazil.Design: Population based cross-sectional study.Subjects: Women (n=1026) between 20 and 60 years-old, living in a urban area of Sao Leopoldo, R.S. The sampling was obtained through multiple stages during 2003. Results: The most prevalent dietary patterns were the Risk Pattern Low Cost (RLC), the Risk Pattern High Cost (RHC) and the Healthy Dietary Pattern High Cost (HHC). Following multivariate analysis, the Healthy Dietary Pattern Low Cost (HLC) was positively associated to age, but inversely associated with women of low education, single and smoker. The Healthy Dietary Pattern Medium Cost (HMC) was positively associated with age, education and social class, being less common on non-white women. HHC was more common among women from the classes A and B, unemployed (no income) and who did not exercise regularly. The Risk Dietary Pattern Low Cost was more common among women of less education (≤ 4 vs ≥ 14 years) w

Submitted by Rosina Valeria Lanzellotti Mattiussi Teixeira (rosina.teixeira@unisantos.br) on 2015-04-28T11:57:36Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Eliane Brito Lyra Nunes da Silva.pdf: 1018971 bytes, checksum: 6fb9f24327a953a52a50a611f73fd246 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-28T11:57:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Eliane Brito Lyra Nunes da Silva.pdf: 1018971 bytes, checksum: 6fb9f24327a953a52a50a611f73fd246 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-11-21 / Low birth weight (LBW) is defined by the World Health Organization as birth weight below 2500 g. It is considered the most relevant single factor of infant and childhood mortality and morbidity, with impact on growth and neuropsychomotor development. It is also likely to cause several diseases in adults. Prematurity, defined as birth at gestational age less than 37 weeks, is also considered one of the main reasons of neonatal mortality. This study aims at determining the prevalences of LBW and prematurity among single liveborn infants of mothers living in the city of João Pessoa between 2001 and 2009, as well as their distribution over time, and identifying risk factors for their occurrence. It is a cross-sectional study and data were collected from the files of the Liveborn Information System for the 2001-2009 period. The study included all records of liveborn infants of single pregnancy. Variables used in the study were: newborn sex, weight at birth, mother's age, school education level, marital status, number of prenatal medical appointments, gestational age, type of pregnancy and type of delivery. Prevalences of LBW and prematurity outcomes were determined for each year and also for the whole studied period. Univariate and multiple logistic regression models specific for each outcome were used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). In the studied period there were 101.005 births, weight average of 3222,74 g (standard deviation: 544,24) and equal distribution concerning sex. LBW and prematurity prevalence were 7,2% and 5,8%, respectively. There was a rise in preterm deliveries throughout this period, while LBW rate remained steady. Most deliveries took place in hospital (99,8%), most of them by caesarean section from 2004 on. Most mothers were 20-34 years old, single, who spent 8 or more years in school, and had 4 or more prenatal medical appointments. There was a statistically significant drop in the percentage of teenage mothers throughout this period (22,8% to 17,8%, p=0,001). LWB was more likely among mothers younger than 20 and older than 35 years old (OR=1,23; 95%CI: 1,14¿1,33 and OR=1,33; 95%CI: 1,19¿1,48 respectively), who were single (OR=1,13; 95%CI: 1,05¿1,21), who had fewer than four prenatal medical appointments (OR=1,84; 95%CI: 1,68¿2,01), and had preterm newborn babies (OR=56,32; 95%CI: 52,49¿60,44) and gave birth to baby girls (OR=1,47; 95%CI: 1,38¿1,56). Concerning prematurity, risk factors were mother age below 20 (OR=1,23; 95%CI: 1,14-1,32), equal or over 35 years old (OR=1,34; 95%CI: 1,22¿1,47), number of prenatal medical appointments below 4 (OR=2,51; 95%CI: 2,32¿2,72) and delivery through caesarean section (OR=1,21; 95%CI: 1,14¿1,29). It can be concluded that, differently from what has been observed in other places, there was a fall in the number of teenage mothers in João Pessoa; that insufficient prenatal medical appointments, an avoidable factor, still persists and increases the likelihood of prematurity and low weight; and that the number of cases of preterm newborn infants weighing more than 2500 g is growing, following the rise in the number of caesarean sections. / O baixo peso ao nascer é definido pela Organização Mundial de Saúde como o peso de nascimento inferior a 2500 g. É considerado o fator isolado de maior impacto sobre a morbidade e a mortalidade neonatal e infantil, com repercussões sobre o crescimento e desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor, com maior probabilidade de várias doenças na vida adulta. A prematuridade, definida como o nascimento com idade gestacional inferior a 37 semanas, também é considerada uma das principais causas de mortalidade neonatal. Este estudo objetivou estimar as prevalências do BPN e da prematuridade entre os nascidos vivos de gestações únicas de mães residentes no município de João Pessoa, no período de 2001 a 2009, suas distribuições temporais e indicar os fatores de risco para ocorrência desses eventos. Trata-se de um estudo transversal com dados coletados a partir dos arquivos do Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos para o período de 2001 a 2009. O critério de inclusão adotado foi todo registro de nascido vivo de gestação única. As variáveis utilizadas no estudo foram: Peso ao nascer, sexo do recém-nascido, idade da mãe, escolaridade, estado civil, número de consultas do pré-natal, idade gestacional, tipo de gravidez e tipo de parto. Foram estimadas as prevalências dos desfechos BPN e prematuridade por ano e para todo o período do estudo. Modelos de regressão logística univariados e múltiplos específicos para cada desfecho foram utilizados para calcular razões de chance e seus respectivos intervalos de confiança de 95%. No período do estudo ocorreram 101.005 nascimentos, com média de peso de 3222,74 gramas (desvio padrão: 544,24) e com distribuição equitativa quanto ao sexo. As prevalências de BPN e de prematuridade foram de 7,2% e de 5,8%, respectivamente. Ocorreu aumento da frequência de partos prematuros ao longo desse período, enquanto que a taxa de BPN manteve-se estável. A maioria dos partos ocorreu em ambiente hospitalar (99,8%), com predomínio da cesariana a partir de 2004. Predominaram as mães com 20 a 34 anos, com mais de oito anos de estudo, solteiras e que tiveram 4 ou mais consultas de pré-natal. Houve queda estatisticamente significante no percentual de mães adolescentes ao longo do período (22,8% para 17,8%, p = 0,001). A probabilidade de nascer uma criança com baixo peso foi maior entre as mães com menos de 20 anos e com 35 anos ou mais (RC=1,23; IC95%: 1,14¿1,33 e RC=1,33; IC95%: 1,19¿1,48 respectivamente), solteiras (RC=1,13; IC95%: 1,05¿1,21), que fizeram menos de quatro consultas de pré-natal (RC=1,84; IC95%: 1,68¿2,01) e tiveram recém-nascidos prematuros (RC=56,32; IC95%: 52,49¿60,44) e do sexo feminino (RC=1,47; IC95%: 1,38¿1,56). Com relação à prematuridade, os fatores de risco foram idade materna inferior a 20 anos (RC=1,23; IC95%: 1,14-1,32) e igual ou superior a 35 anos (RC=1,34; IC95%: 1,22¿1,47), número de consultas de pré-natal inferior a 4 consultas (RC=2,51; IC95%: 2,32¿2,72) e parto cesáreo (RC=1,21; IC95%: 1,14¿1,29). Conclui-se que, diferentemente do observado em outros locais, houve queda do número de mães adolescentes em João Pessoa; que um fator evitável, como o pré-natal inadequado, ainda hoje persiste e aumenta a chance de prematuridade e de baixo peso; e que cresce o número de casos de prematuros com peso acima de 2500 g, companhando o aumento de partos cesáreos.

Introdução: o crack é uma forma extremamente aditiva de cocaína, provocando intensa fissura e um comportamento persistente e intenso de busca pela droga com negligência da alimentação. A alimentação insuficiente pode levar à carência de tiamina. O uso de latas e folhas de alumínio na confecção de cachimbos para o consumo de crack aumenta a exposição de usuários de crack a este metal. Deficiência de tiamina somada a acúmulo cerebral de alumínio pode inibir o metabolismo energético dependente da glicose, levando à neurodegeneração e, possivelmente, à encefalopatia de Wernicke. Objetivos: avaliação dos níveis sanguíneos de tiamina difosfato e de alumínio de dependentes de crack e comparação com os de controles. Método: estudo transversal controlado, avaliou 35 dependentes de crack e 35 controles, do sexo masculino, com 18 anos ou mais. Os casos foram recrutados entre pacientes internados na Unidade de Adição do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre ou na Emergência em Saúde Mental IAPI, os controles foram recrutados entre as pessoas que circulam na área ambulatorial do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Todos participantes tiveram seu peso e estatura medidos e sangue coletado para determinação dos níveis de tiamina difosfato e de alumínio. Os casos passaram, também, por uma breve avaliação neurológica. Resultados: as características dos casos são semelhantes à amostra do principal estudo nacional sobre o uso de crack no Brasil: sexo masculino, cerca de 30 anos de idade, com baixa escolaridade, desempregados, usuários de múltiplas substâncias psicoativas, consumidores de crack há aproximadamente 8 anos. O índice de massa corporal dos casos foi significativamente mais baixo (p<0.0001). Seis casos (17.65%) apresentaram índice de massa corporal abaixo do normal. Dois casos apresentaram nível de tiamina abaixo dos valores de referência, enquanto os níveis dos controles estavam acima deste limite. Comparando os resultados do primeiro quartil do nível sanguíneo de tiamina dos casos (N= 9; mediana 3.6μg/dL, amplitude interquartil 3.05μg/dL -4.10μg/dL) com o dos controles (N=14, mediana 4.3μg/dL, amplitude interquartil 3.7μg/dL-4.4μg/dL), os casos apresentaram níveis significativamente mais baixos (p=0.024). Os níveis de alumínio dos casos que tiveram as amostras de sangue coletadas até 24h após o último consumo da substância, foram maiores (mediana1.85μg/L, amplitude interquartil0.65-4.425μg/L) que os dos controles (mediana 0.95μg/L, amplitude interquartil 0.7-1.22μg/L), mas esta diferença não atingiu significância estatística (p=0.07). Conclusões: dependentes de crack tem índice de massa corporal menor e estão mais expostos ao alumínio que os controles. Alguns tem deficiência de tiamina, a qual pode levar à encefalopatia de Wernicke e declínio cognitivo. Portanto, tiamina parenteral profilática deve ser considerada para alguns dependentes de crack. / Background: Crack-cocaine is an extremely additive form of cocaine and its compulsive use can last days until exhaustion, driving its users to neglect feeding. Poor feeding may cause thiamine deficiency. In Brazil, crack-cocaine is usually smoked in pipes made of aluminum cans or with aluminum foils. Insufficient brain levels of thiamine plus brain aluminum accumulation, may impair glucose energy metabolism, promoting neurodegeneration and possibly Wernicke’s encephalopathy. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate thiamine and aluminum blood levels in crack-cocaine addicts and compare them to healthy controls. Methods: cross-sectional controlled study, included 35 crack-cocaine addicts and 35 healthy controls, all males, 18 or older. Cases were recruited at the Addiction Unit of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre or at the Mental Health Emergency IAPI, controls were recruited between people circulating in the outpatient clinic area of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Weight and height were measured and blood samples collected for determination of thiamine diphosphate and aluminum levels. Cases were also submitted to a brief neurological examination. Results: cases characteristics were similar to the sample of the main national study related to crack-cocaine use in Brazil: mainly males, about 30 years old, with low education level, unemployed, multiple drug abusers, consuming crack-cocaine for approximately 8 years. Body mass index was significantly lower in cases (p<0.0001). Six cases (17.65%) had body mass index lower than normal, while no control was below this limit. Two cases presented thiamine levels below the laboratory reference range, while controls were all above this limit. Comparing the lower quartile of thiamine blood levels, cases (3.6 μg/dL) had significantly lower levels of thiamine than controls (4.3μg/dL) (p=0.024). Blood aluminum median of crack-cocaine addicts (1.85μg/L, interquartile range 0.65-4.425μg/L) whose samples were drawn until 24h after last drug consumption was higher than controls (0.95μg/L, interquartile range 0.7-1.22μg/L), but the difference did not achieve statistical significance (p=0.07). Conclusions: Crack-cocaine addicts have lower BMI and are more exposed to aluminum in comparison to healthy controls. Also, some of them have thiamine deficiency which may lead to Wernicke’s encephalopathy and cognitive impairment. Thus, prophylactic parenteral thiamine should be considered to some crack-cocaine addicts.